Fabricated faucet spout

Abstract

An improved fabricated faucet is disclosed in which no mounting screws are visible when the spout is mounted. In a preferred embodiment an under cover has a notch received on a tab within an internal surface of an upper cover to secure the two at a forward end. Screws preferably secure the two at a rearward end, which will be hidden when the spout is mounted. For longer spouts it may be preferable to use two of the notch and tab combinations spaced symmetrically about a central axis of the spout. Ribs formed on the upper cover may abut the under cover to provide additional rigidity. In another aspect of the present invention, an outlet end portion of a fluid flow line is received in an outlet port formed through the under cover. The outlet end portion has threads at an inner periphery to mount an end effector, such as an aerator or a stream straightener. A sealing ring is received at the outer periphery of the outlet end portion to provide a fluid seal between the outlet end and the under cover body. This allows the faucet spout to be utilized without internal leakage even if the end effector is removed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A faucet spout comprising: a housing formed of an under cover and an upper cover, means for securing said under cover to said upper cover, said under cover having an outlet opening;   a fluid line having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being at an outlet end portion of said fluid line, said outlet end portion being aligned with said outlet opening, said outlet end portion having an inner peripheral surface with means to mount an end effector and an outer peripheral surface receiving a resilient sealing ring to provide a seal between said outlet end portion and an inner surface of said under cover; and   said outlet end portion outer peripheral surface including first portion of a first outer diameter and a second portion upstream of said first portion of a second diameter greater than said first diameter, said second portion providing a stop for said seal ring and compressing said seal ring against said inner surface of said under cover when said under cover is secured to said upper cover by said means for securing, independently of the presence of an end effector.   
     
     
       2. A faucet spout as recited in claim 1, wherein said under cover having a lip received laterally within said upper cover, a notch formed in said lip at a forward position adjacent said outlet opening, and a tab formed on said upper cover and extending inwardly from an inner surface, said tab received in said notch to secure said lip to said upper cover. 
     
     
       3. A faucet spout as recited in claim 1, wherein securing members secure said under cover to said upper cover near said inlet. 
     
     
       4. A faucet spout as recited in claim 3, wherein said securing members are hidden by mounting means for said spout when said spout is mounted. 
     
     
       5. A faucet spout as recited in claim 4, wherein said securing members are screws. 
     
     
       6. A faucet spout as recited in claim 1, wherein said seal is rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
       7. A faucet spout as recited in claim 6, wherein said means to mount an end effector include said outlet end portion being threaded at said inner peripheral surface. 
     
     
       8. A faucet spout as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper cover having a member within an inner periphery forcing said outlet end downwardly into said outlet port in said under cover.